Mapping surface water loss from satellite data confirms decreases away from urban areas. A simple exponential distance-decay model approximates the impact of urbanization.
Hydrology
Evolution is More Important than Environment for Water Uptake
Despite conventional assumptions, a new study shows that evolutionary proximity of species defines root water uptake strategies, not their position in landscape or ambient environment.
Transforming Hydrology by Integrating Sensors and Disciplines
Satellite sensing has transformed hydrology by providing global information on variables and fluxes. Breakthroughs will come from integrating sensing information and cross-disciplinary approaches.
Improving Weather Simulations Through Increased Generality
By adding support for spatially variable velocity fields and anisotropy, the CoSMoS simulation package can more accurately reproduce physical phenomena.
NEON Lights a Path for Sustained Ecological Observations
Resources and data offered by the National Ecological Observatory Network are supporting researchers investigating critical ecosystem changes across the country.
Better Subseasonal-to-Seasonal Forecasts for Water Management
Emerging methods that improve precipitation forecasting over weeks to months could support more informed resource management and increase lead times for responding to droughts and floods.
Migrant Workers Among the Most Vulnerable to Himalayan Disasters
Critics say companies are failing to develop adequate emergency procedures to protect construction workers on hydropower plants in the Himalayas.
Collaborative Graduate Student Training in a Virtual World
With higher education increasingly moving online, a 3-year-old interinstitutional graduate student training program offers a model for universities to pool resources and expand course offerings.
Can Newspaper Reporting Uncover Flood Risk?
In areas of low or no flood monitoring, archival coverage of historical flooding can help scientists make better risk predictions.
Torrential Rains and Poor Forecasts Sink Panama’s Infrastructure
Scientists are working to improve the forecasting of heavy rains in Panama following several events over the past decade that caused substantial flooding and damage.
